During a House Intelligence Committee hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe forcefully rejected Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez’s questioning about whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was intoxicated during a Signal app discussion on military action against Houthi rebels. The exchange highlighted tensions over the handling of sensitive national security matters.
Gomez asked Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard whether she had any knowledge of Hegseth consuming alcohol before allegedly leaking classified information. Gabbard stated she had no knowledge of his personal habits. Gomez then directed the question to Ratcliffe, who dismissed it as offensive and stated unequivocally that the claim was false.
The controversy stems from reports that top Trump administration officials, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Hegseth, inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing a retaliatory strike on Iranian-backed Houthis. The inclusion of a journalist in such a discussion raised concerns about operational security.
Gomez referenced prior allegations about Hegseth’s drinking habits, which had surfaced during his confirmation process. These claims had been disputed by colleagues. He also cited a debunked claim from social media suggesting Hegseth was drinking alcohol during a press conference, though video evidence showed he was drinking water.
Ratcliffe defended Hegseth, pointing to the success of the operation in question. He challenged the relevance of Gomez’s inquiries, emphasizing that the mission was executed effectively to protect American interests. The exchange underscored the ongoing partisan divide over national security policy and leadership.
